semperfiona | (no subject)

Okay, so you might have gotten the idea from my one Two Towers post that I didn't like the movie. Not true. I quite enjoyed it. I think, though, that just like the first one, I will need another viewing to see it for itself rather than nitpicking the differences between it and the book. (Besides, I have to use my free-ticket certificate.) However, nitpicking and commenting on specific details I can do now.

My biggest peeve is that the character of Faramir was sorely slandered, as I noted yesterday. Other than that...(I'll try to put these mostly in order)

I loved the Balrog fight sequence. Expanding that was a very good idea.
I've always loved Rohan and the Rohirrim, and this movie did very well by them. But they didn't quite make it clear enough just how much the Rohirrim love their horses.
More lovely scruffy longhaired men. ::drool::
We could have done with a few more of the original lines of dialog from the first encounter in Rohan. It seemed like a rather abrupt change from aiming spears to handing over horses.
The transformation of Theoden was delightful to see.
While I didn't imagine Ents looking like that--I had imagined them less leggy--it's an interesting take, and supportable from the text.
Merry didn't decide the course of the Entmoot, they did. They already knew about Saruman's perfidy (and by the way, what a wonderful word).
Eowyn is easily the hottest chick in the two movies so far, on the grounds that she seems more "real" to me than either of the elves. On the other hand, Liv Tyler/Arwen does have really quite marvelous lips.
The Battle of Helm's Deep was wonderful.
I have a bit of a problem with the Southrons looking so Arabic. I realize Tolkien's own descriptions slant that way as well, but it seems too much like a reference to the present world situation to fit with a fantasy/mythological epic. On the other hand, I might not have noticed that had I not already read a review which mentioned it.
Again, I had a difference of imagination with Jackson on the appearance of the Nazgul's winged steeds. To my mind they might have been slightly more effective without the full closeups of their faces. But they were still damned cool.
How the fuck am I going to wait another year? (Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I'll end up buying copies of all versions of the DVD and rereading the books again.)

I now invite other nitpickers to comment.

Oh, and I can also say with confidence that you want to get seats farther back than the fourth row. I had a neck ache after straining up to see everything.